STI testing

[Curiosity]

What does STI testing involve? It sounds like its really invasive. How often should I be tested?

[MsBlueStreak]

@Caiti –

Before @Nurse_Nettie joins the conversation, you should start here: https://playsafe.health.nsw.gov.au/testing/what-are-the-tests-like  You’ll also find a link to find out where to get tested.

[Nurse_Nettie]

@Caiti Great questions! If you don’t have any symptoms, a full sexual health screen only requires a urine sample, a blood test and in some cases, a throat swab and an anal or vaginal swab that can be self-collected. You don’t even need to get undressed! Thanks to @MsBlueStreak for the link to everything you need to know about STI tests!

How often should you get tested?? Depends!

You should test as soon as possible if:

• you have unexplained genital or anal symptoms
• a sexual partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhoea, urethritis, syphilis, hepatitis B, or HIV (even if you don’t have symptoms yourself). 
• you’ve had condomless sex with someone at high risk of HIV (e.g. traveling in a high prevalence country).

You should test once a year if:

• you’re only heterosexually active and have multiple partners.
• you’re a gay or homosexually active man with one partner. 

You should test 3-6 monthly if:

• you’re a gay or homosexually active man with multiple partners & any condomless sexual contacts.

Of course these are broad guidelines, to find out what’s right for you, best to talk to your doctor or sexual health service!

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